Emergency Action Plan
BASIC EMPLOYEE RESPONSE PLAN
This is the basic
employee response plan for emergencies on campus. Each department
has an area-specific plan detailing alarm systems, major hazards,
exit routes, rally points and specific responsibilities. Contact
your supervisor for a copy of your plan.
Evacuate
Upon the sounding of the alarm or detection of
an emergency that requires evacuation.
Alert Others
If you are the person that detects the emergency
you should verbally warn others in the area, activate the
evacuation alarm system, and call public safety from a safe place.
(911 from a campus phone or 581-4040 from your cell phone.)
Rally Point
Evacuate to your department designated Rally
Point and stay there until released by your supervisor.
Use of Emergency Equipment
It is policy to evacuate the building
immediately in case of a fire or other emergency. Only those
people who are specifically trained may use emergency equipment
For Further Information
Contact your supervisor or call Safety and
Environmental Management 1-4055 and on the Web at
www2.umaine.edu/SEM.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
If you require an ambulance call: 911
Give the dispatcher the following information:
- Nature of injury.
- Location of injured person.
- Special hazards in the area.
- Name of the injured party if available.
- Your name and phone number.
- Do not hang up until the dispatcher releases
you.
Render assistance to others, only if you can do
so safely, have been trained in first aid, and can utilize the
proper personal protective equipment. Do not move an injured
person unless they are in immediate danger. If possible meet the
ambulance or have someone meet the ambulance and guide the
responders to the injured person.
There are public Automatic Emergency
Defibrillators (AED) located in the Maine Center for the Arts near
the ticket office, at Fogler Library next to information booth, in
the Memorial Union near the information booth and in the hallway
between the Field House and the Pit in the Memorial Gymnasium.
The AED is identified by and contained in a white box with a blue
label.
FIRE
In the event of a fire emergency follow your
area-specific emergency action plan. Activate the alarm system
and call 911 from a safe place. Fires can be prevented by
following proper procedures including: proper storage and use of
flammable chemicals, and good housekeeping. Hands-on fire
extinguisher training is available from Facilities Management,
call 1-3049 for further information. For more information about
fire prevention and plans call Safety and Environmental Management
at 1-4055 and on the Web at
www2.umaine.edu/SEM
CRIMINAL & SUSPICIOUS ACTS
To report a crime in progress such as a fight, a
theft, or suspicious activity call 911. Tell the dispatcher:
- Nature of the emergency.
- Whether or not the incident is still
occurring.
- Location of incident.
- Who you are and how you can be reached.
Non-Emergency
To report a crime that has already occurred,
please call the Public Safety dispatcher at 1-4040. If you want
information on Crime Prevention or registration of valuable
property, please call the crime prevention officer at 1-4036.
Also available on the Web at
www.umaine.edu/publicsafety
The Security in an Academic Environment Policy
available at the Safety and Environmental Management Web site at
www2.umaine.edu/SEM
addresses security for the University of Maine.
CHEMICAL SPILL EMERGENCIES
Follow your area-specific emergency action
plan.
Most spills can be prevented by proper
transport, storage, and use of chemicals. Do not clean up a
chemical spill unless you have received specific chemical spill
clean-up training and can perform the clean-up safely. For
further information see your supervisor or call Safety and
Environmental Management at 1-4055 and on the Web at
www2.umaine.edu/SEM
OIL/FUEL SPILLS AND GAS LEAKS
All known or suspected petroleum products spills
(to include gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, etc.) and gas
leaks (to include LP, Chlorine, etc.) are to be promptly reported
to the Public Safety Department by calling 911 from a safe place.
When calling, be specific as to the building and location of the
spill or leak. Precautions should be taken to prevent and contain
leaks and spills.
BOMB THREAT
What to do in the event of a bomb threat:
1. If you receive information about a bomb
in a University building,
- Notify Public Safety - 911.
- DO NOT pull the fire alarm.
- Take notes if possible; attempt to obtain a
time and any other pertinent information from the source of
information.
2. Appropriate units will be dispatched to
the threatened building to conduct a quiet search or to evacuate
the building, as the University Public Safety deems necessary.
EXPLOSION EMERGENCY
Follow your area-specific emergency action plan.
If an explosion occurs in your building,
evacuate immediately. Do not re-enter the building until it is
declared safe by the authorities.
RADIATION EMERGENCIES
Employees working in areas where radioactive
materials are used must receive appropriate instructions for
handling emergencies.
In the event of an incident involving ionizing
radiation or radioactive materials:
- Evacuate the area and immediately notify
Public Safety, call 911.
- When telephoning for emergency service, tell
the dispatcher that radioactive materials are present.
- After notification, take every precaution to
prevent further release, spread, or needless tracking of
radioactive materials.
For further information consult the Radiation
Safety Program at
www2.umaine.edu/SEM or
call Safety and Environmental Management at 1-4055.
HANDICAPPED, EMERGENCY
PROCEDURES
What to do in the event of a fire, explosion, or
chemical release emergency:
Follow your area-specific emergency action
plan.
If you are unable to evacuate the building:
- Evacuate to the designated area of refuge.
(Typically in or near stairwell)
- If an area of refuge is not available go to a
safe area and call 911.
If you need an accommodation to carry out your
area-specific emergency action plan, please identify that need to
your supervisor so that arrangements can be made. Further
assistance can be obtained from Safety and Environmental
Management at 1-4055.
WORKPLACE INJURIES & ILLNESSES
All workplace injuries/illnesses must be
promptly reported to SEM by fax 581-4085 (See steps below).
Emergency Medical Attention: Call 911 for
ambulance to transport employee to St. Joseph Hospital or EMMC for
medical treatment. St. Joseph Hospital is our preferred emergency
healthcare provider for the Orono/Bangor area.
Overnight Admission to a Hospital or a
Fatality: Immediately contact University of Maine Public
Safety at 581-4040 to initiate further response
Non-Emergency Medical Attention:
Supervisors may call Human Resources (581-2367). Or Gates McDonald
(262-4386) to arrange for non-emergency treatment.
Note: For any workplace illness/injury
that requires medical attention or lost work time, contact Gates
McDonald. If the treatment is first-aid only, you do not need to
contact Gates McDonald. However, the supervisor must promptly
report work related injuries/illnesses by completing the following
steps.
- Step 1: Complete a Supervisor's
Workplace Illness/Injury Report form for all illnesses/injuries
and FAX to SEM at 581-4085. Further information and forms are
located on the SEM Web page at
www2.umaine.edu/SEM/accident.htm.
- Step 2: For work related
illnesses/injuries that require medical attention or lost work
time, call 1-866-466-4606. Press 1 (have this Supervisor's
Workplace Illness/Injury Report form available to provide
required information). Fax this completed Supervisor's Workplace
Illness/Injury Form to SEM at 581-4085.
- Step 3: Retain a copy for your
department's records.
Students Routine Medical Aid:
Report to Cutler Health Center (west side of
building toward Bennett Hall). Please refer to our Web site:
www.umaine.edu/cutler for hours of operation. When the
University is not in session, the health center operates on a
reduced schedule. Call 1-400 for information about these hours. If
the health center is closed there are two area hospitals that
maintain around-the-clock Emergency Room service. They are:
Student Emergency Room Service:
Eastern Maine Medical Center
973-8000
489 State St., Bangor
St. Joseph Hospital
262-5000
297 Center St., Bangor
DISEASE/ILLNESS
Flu
Good health habits are an important way to help
prevent the Flu:
- Clean your hands often
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or
sneezing
- Avoid close contact. When you are sick, stay
home if possible, keep your distance from others.
For more information check the CDC Web site at
www.cdc.gov
Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is found in many areas of New
England and has now spread to Maine. This is a potentially
debilitating disease spread by deer ticks. More information on
this disease can be obtained from the Maine Center for Disease
Control and Prevention Web site at
www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/lyme_disease.htm
West Nile Virus (WNV)
WNV is a disease that can lead to an infection
called encephalitis (swelling of the brain). WNV is spread by the
bite of an infected mosquito. Most mosquito bites do not lead to
WNV because very few mosquitoes are infected. However, people over
50 and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for
serious illness from WNV infection. More information can be
obtained from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/arbovirus/
wnv_questions.htm
Rabies/Animal Bites
If you or someone else has been bitten by a wild
or domestic animal, report the incident to Public Safety at 911
immediately. Identify the animal by kind, size, color and place
the animal was last seen. Medical attention needs to be obtained
immediately and follow ups must be conducted to ensure the safety
of UMaine faculty, staff and students.
Suspicious Animal Behavior: Animals
exhibiting aggressive behavior or if you suspect an animal has
rabies. Symptoms of rabies may include: an animal that is
obviously sick; is exhibiting unusual behavior; or has died under
mysterious circumstances. Do not move or otherwise touch the
animal. Notify the UMaine Public Safety office at 911.
Human Bodily Fluids
If you discover what you suspect is blood or
other bodily fluids:
- Don't touch it.
- Keep others away.
- Call 911 and report the incident, they can
dispatch people who are trained to decontaminate the area.
- Do not clean blood or other bodily fluids
unless you have proper PPE and have completed your annual BBP
training.
UTILITY INTERRUPTION
All weekday gas, water, or electric utility
interruptions on the Orono Campus should be reported to the Work
Control Center at 1-4400. On nights and weekends, report
interruptions to the Public Safety dispatcher at 1-4040. If it is
necessary to shut off gas, water, or electricity to points on
campus, the Facilities Management staff will give advance notice,
if possible, to all building managers affected.
When electrical power is lost:
- Extinguish any flames and terminate any
experiments. Ventilation through the chemical fume hood ceases
with the power loss and may not automatically return with the
power.
- Turn off as much electrical equipment as
possible to minimize the electrical load when power is
restored. This also protects the equipment from voltage
fluctuations.
- If persons are trapped in the elevators, call
911 as necessary.
- Do not open refrigerators or freezers unless
absolutely necessary.
- Long term power outages may require the
evacuation of the building.
MAINTENANCE
Emergencies on the Orono campus requiring the
services of the Facilities Management shops should be reported to
the Work Control Center at 1-4400. The shops include the Carpenter
Shop; Electrical Shop; Locksmith Shop; Paint Shop (for glass);
Plumbing Shop (includes propane gas); and Heating, Ventilation,
Air Conditioning, Roofing, Grounds and Garage.
If there is no answer at the above number, call
the Public Safety dispatcher at 1-4040.
ASBESTOS & LEAD CONCERNS
Asbestos and lead containing building materials
have been identified in buildings on campus built prior to 1980.
Asbestos is most often a component of the following building
materials: ceiling tiles and their adhesives, floor tiles and
their adhesives, duct installation and tapes, laboratory counter
tops, fume hoods, and pipe insulation. Not all types and forms of
these materials contain asbestos. It is important that you do not
disturb these materials by moving, removing, breaking, cracking or
dismantling them. Contact the OFM Asbestos and Lead Project
Manager for an assessment should you encounter these materials in
poor condition or damaged. Lead is most often found in interior
and exterior paints used on older buildings on campus. Should you
encounter peeling paints, please contact the Asbestos and Lead
Project Manager for assessment.
Neither asbestos nor lead pose health risks when
they are intact, such as intact floor tiles, ceiling tile, or pipe
insulation or paint.
Asbestos and Lead Project Manager: 1-3063
SHELTER-IN-PLACE EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS
Shelter-in-place is a method of self-protection
from airborne contaminants. In the case of a release of toxic
airborne material, shelter-in-place can be more effective than an
evacuation. The following check list should be used when a
shelter-in-place is ordered:
- Close all doors, including internal doors,
and lock all windows (windows seal better when locked).
- Seal any gaps around windows and doors with
tape or wet towels. (The bottom of doors are especially prone to
leak). Close curtains and drapes.
- Extinguish any open flame such as Bunsen
burners and gas stoves.
- Window air conditioners should be turned off,
inlets switched to closed position, and vents sealed with tape
and plastic sheeting, wax paper, or aluminum wrap, if possible.
- Chemical fume hoods should be turned off
after experiments are terminated, then sashes should be lowered
and sealed shut.
- Turn off all exhaust fans such as bathroom
and kitchen fans, then seal fan openings.
- Do not use elevators as they can act as
pistons pulling air in from the outside.
- Do not use the telephone except for emergency
purposes to avoid overloading the phone system.
- If the fumes begin to bother you, breathing
through a damp cloth or handkerchief can many times offer some
relief.
- Listen to radio and television for
announcements or call 1-3473 for information.
- When the situation is over, open all doors
and windows and place ventilation on 100% fresh air to remove
any contaminants that have built up inside the building.
(This is not an alternative to evacuating a
building when the alarm sounds, shelter-in-place only when
directed to do so by authorities.)
SUSPICIOUS MAIL
If you receive a package or letter that you
suspect may be a terrorist threat, then:
- Do not handle or move the suspicious mail.
- DO NOT pull the fire alarm.
- Exit the immediate area and ask others to do
the same;
- Avoid tracking any spilled materials;
- Secure the area by closing and locking the
door, or other means to keep people away;
- Wash your hands and other areas of exposed
skin vigorously with soap and water; (If possible have someone
else call 911 while you are washing)
- Call 911.
- Public Safety officials will respond to
assess the situation and determine what further action is
required.
